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701-1802-00L 3 Credits BSC D-USYS

Ecology of Forest Soil

Ökologie von Waldböden

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Jörg Luster, Dr. Stephan Zimmermann
Theoretical and practical knowledge in soil science are required for this lecture. The successful attendace of the following classes meet the requirements e.g. 701-0501-00L Pedosphere, 701-0034-06L Integrated Practical: Soil, 701-0560-00L Practical "Forests and Landscapes"
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:40:17

Abstract

Deepen and apply basic knowledge in forest soil ecology obtained in previous courses; includes autonomous study of selected questions in working groups and lectures on case studies.

Objective

- Deepen and apply the basic knowledge in forest soil ecology obtained in previous courses (Bachelor degree). - Get familiar with current issues in forest soil ecology based on case studies directed to practical problems - Gain a deeper understanding through autonomous studies of selected questions in forest ecology in working groups. This includes an autonomous soil description in the field.

Content

- Overview of forest soils in Switzerland /concept of reference soils - Forest and water (hydromorphic soils, water retention, flood protection and forest soils) - Physical soil protection in forests: DPSIR approch (driver-pressure-state-impact-response), regeneration after compaction - Acidification of forest soils - Inorganic soil contamination (focus on heavy metals) - spatial soil information (soil maps, extrapolation of point information) - Long-term forest ecosystem research: monitoring of atmospheric pollution and reaction of the soil (soil solution and soil matrix) - Nutrient pools and cycling in the soil environment - Soil-plant-interactions / processes in the rhizosphere - Carbon balance and global change - Land-use effects on the carbon balance - Drought and forest soils

Resources

Lecture Notes

Lecture notes, working material exercises will be handed out.

Literature

- Walthert, L., Zimmermann, S., Blaser, P., Luster, J., Lüscher, P., 2004: Waldböden der Schweiz. Volume 1. Grundlagen und Region Jura. Birmensdorf, Eidgenössische Forschungsanstalt WSL. Bern, Hep Verlag, 768 pp. - Blaser, P., Zimmermann, S., Luster, J., Walthert, L., Lüscher, P. 2005: Waldböden der Schweiz. Volume 2. Regionen Alpen und Alpensüdseite. Birmensdorf, Eidgenössische Forschungsanstalt WSL. Bern, Hep Verlag, 920 pp. - Zimmermann, S., Luster, J., Blaser, P., Walthert, L., Lüscher, P. (2006): Waldböden der Schweiz. Volume 3. Regionen Mittelland und Voralpen. Birmensdorf, Eidgenössische Forschungsanstalt WSL. Bern, Hep Verlag. 848 pp. - Ott, E., Frehner, M., Frey, H.-U., Lüscher, P., 1997: Gebirgsnadelwälder. Ein praxisorientierter Leitfaden für eine standortgerechte Waldbehandlung. Haupt, Bern. 287 pp. - Blume, H.P., Brümmer, G., Horn, R., Kandeler, E., Kögel-Knabner, I., Kretzschmar, R., Stahr, K., Wilke, B.M. 2010. Scheffer/Schachtschabel, Lehrbuch der Bodenkunde, 16th edition, Spektrum Akademischer Verlage, Heidelberg, 569 pp.

General Information

Language
German
Levels
BSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
graded semester performance

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise Ökologie von Waldböden
Die Lektion am 09.03.2020 findet von 10 bis 12 Uhr an der WSL statt (Einführung Bodenansprache im Ramerenwald).
  • Mon 10:15-12:00 (CHN D 44)
  • 24.02 Date 10:15-12:00 (CHN D 44)
2 h weekly

Offered In